D-backs Can't Support Nelson's Gem, Lose Series to Marlins
Ryne Nelson's quality start wasn't enough for the Diamondbacks, as they fell to the Miami Marlins 3-2. Arizona's offense was cold for the second straight day row against a left-handed starter and the bullpen was unable to hold a late lead.
For the third start in a row Nelson had a long first inning, needing to throw 30 pitches to escape a bases-loaded jam. He settled in afterwards, holding the Marlins to just one run on five hits, no walks, and four strikeouts over six innings. After struggling early to locate his cutter and slider, he was able to lock it in and cruised through the final five innings of his start. Nelson got some quality defense behind him, with third baseman Josh Rojas putting up a show with four highlight reel plays. His lone blemish on the day was a solo home run to Garrett Hampson in the fifth inning on a cutter that stayed in the middle of the plate.
The bullpen was handed a two-run lead in the seventh, which lasted only three batters. Scott McGough allowed a leadoff double to Avisaíl García. After a groundout, Jean Segura dropped in a base hit into right to tie the game. After another single and Luis Arraez set to bat, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo brought in his trusted left-hander Andrew Chafin to try to get out of the inning. Arraez muscled off the first pitch into center field that gave the Marlins a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
Arizona took the lead in the first inning off left-hander Braxton Garrett. Ketel Marte was hit in the right foot by a slider and was tended to by trainers before staying in the game. Marte scored on a Christian Walker sacrifice fly after a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. moved him to third.
After scoring in the first inning, Arizona hitters didn't put much pressure on Garrett. Their best chance came in the third inning, when back-to-back base hits by Ketel Marte and Josh Rojas put runners on first and second with one out. Gurriel bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Arizona retook the lead in the seventh when Carroll doubled to lead off the inning. After a balk moved him up to third with one out, Gabriel Moreno rolled a ground ball through a drawn-in infield. They had a chance to turn this into a big inning, but Gurriel struck out to leave the bases loaded. That was the last time they threatened in this game, with the final six hitters being retired.
The D-backs will need to salvage the series finale to stay above .500, but it won't be easy. They'll face the reigning Cy Young Award winner in Sandy Alcántara, but they'll have their ace, Zac Gallen, toeing the mound for Arizona. This marquee pitching match-up is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 10:40 A.M. MST
